WINSTED -- The town's application for $500,000 to revamp Whiting Street found a clearer path after the Board of Selectmen removed one of the roadblocks.

The board voted 5-0 to sign off on a resolution supporting Winsted's application for a Small Town Economic Assistance Program grant to convert Whiting Street to a one-way road. Doing so would help not only promote Whiting Mills and the American Mural Project, but also safety, thanks to several measures.

Town Manager Dale Martin presented the project, which will cost an estimated $500,037, to the board Monday night. If approved on schedule, the project would break ground in the spring of 2014, following the winter selection of an engineer, spring design work and public review in the summer. STEAP grants are awarded for projects which will improve business, and towns can apply for up to $500,000. Winsted will ask for the maximum in its application.

"I'm totally in support of this," said Selectman Michael Renzullo. "It looks like you've made some progress on the planning as it is."

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Martin, who also dug up older studies in his preparation, presented sketches of the newly-configured street to the selectmen. The proposed layout for the road would change its intersection with Route 44 into more of a perpendicular junction, with islands between the lanes of Main Street and the road to Whiting Street. This intersection would allow unfettered access to Strong Terrace, while discouraging speeding at the intersection, as well as its use as a place for customers of businesses near the area to make U-turns.

"It's low visibility and high speed," Renzullo said of the intersection, adding, "We're lucky we haven't had a catastrophic crash."

Additionally, the new layout would add angled parking spaces to the street near Whiting Mills. Renzullo, who moved to approve a resolution expressing their support for the project, was concerned that the parking spots were incorrectly angled, but according to Martin, the layout was intentional, as it would encourage drivers to back into the spots. People leaving the parking spots would be able to see oncoming traffic easily, improving safety.

"It may be an adjustment for some of the residents," Renzullo said, "but it'll increase the property values and it'll definitely improve safety."

Fellow Selectman Jim DiVita agreed that the new layout, which would only allow traffic to flow from Main Street to Holabird Avenue, would boost property values and promote commerce, as well as Northwestern Connecticut Community College. Steven Frazier, the college's dean of admissions, signed off on a letter supporting the project, as did numerous tenants of Whiting Mills and Ellie Griesedeck of the American Mural Project.

"I think it's a great idea," DiVita said. "It will enhance that area, especially the college and the mill over there. It looks good."

Frazier was concerned about pedestrian access to the college, as well as the impact of the inevitable reconstruction of the Holabird Avenue bridge. Martin said that Whiting Street would revert to two-way traffic while the badly-deteriorating bridge is being rebuilt, adding that he would support building a foot bridge over the Still River to the college.

"A foot bridge across the Still River to promote the college is necessary," Martin said.

Selectman Ken Fracasso supported the project, adding that he was concerned that the town might be forced to tear up the newly-paved road for utility work. Martin said that he has asked businesses in the area if the current sewer, gas and other utility lines would meet their future needs, and these businesses responded in the affirmative.

"It has happened in this town before," Fracasso said.

Winning the grant, which would be for a maximum of $500,000, would be the first step towards revitalizing Winsted's commercial areas. Fracasso suggested altering some of the language regarding the town's ongoing budget battles, remarking, "I don't think we need to air our dirty laundry," but the grant -- and Martin's work -- would be used to help bring in more grant money. Martin said the next grant up for discussion, the state-administered Main Street Investment Fund, would go towards shoring up Main Street. The town could win another $500,000 through the program, which could be used to improve Main Street and boost downtown property values. Martin also added that the research used on this application could help attract more funding for the Holabird Avenue bridge.

Second Selectman Candy Perez and Selectman George Closson were absent from the meeting, while Winchester Mayor Maryann Welcome and Selectmen DiVita, Fracasso, Renzullo and Glenn Albanesius supported the motion. Summer vacations were noted as a factor which would push the Board of Selectmen's budget meeting to August 1 at the earliest.